2026-27 Adopted Budget

Current Budget

The Board voted to adopt the 2026-27 Budget at the August 26, 2026, Regular Board Meeting.

Read the 2026-27 Adopted Budget

General Fund – Where Does Our Money Come From?

2026-27 Budgeted Resources by Type
percentages may not total to 100% due to rounding

$1.34 billion
State 63%
Local taxes 16.7%
Federal 5.2%
Other Revenue 7.0%
Other Resources 6.5%
Fund Balance 1.6%

General Fund – Where Does Our Money Go?

206-27 Budgeted Expenditures by State Activity
percentages may not total 100% due to rounding

$1.34 billion
Teaching Activities 58.8%
Other Support Activities 16.8%
Teaching Support 13.6%
Central Administration 5.5%
Principal's Office 5.4%

Budget Highlights

Balanced Budget

Seattle Public Schools’ General Fund Operating Budget for 2026-27 is $1.34 billion.
Over 72% of the General Fund is allocated for Teaching and Teaching Support activities.
This budget addresses the projected deficit for 2026-27 but without additional changes, the structural deficit will persist.

Closes the Budget Gap for 2026-27 by:

Reducing centrally funded budgets
Changing school staffing
Transferring capital fund interest earnings for instructional and capital uses
Delaying repayment of the Economic Stabilization (“Rainy Day”) Fund
Applying Inflation Reduction Act energy rebates
Using fund balance
Transportation efficiencies
Implementing other reductions and cost avoidance

Capital Budget

Budgets over $557 million for facility improvements and development of state-of-the-art spaces for student learning. Included in this budget is the final payment for the bond issued to renovate the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.
Alki Elementary School and Rainier Beach High School’s Performing Arts Center are scheduled to open by Fall 2026.
Work will also continue at Aki Kurose Middle School and the Memorial Stadium.
Preservation of existing buildings remains a district priority as postponing needed repairs impacts our students’ learning environment.

Looking Ahead

Seattle Public Schools will continue to focus on strengthening our financial position to rebuild the fund balance and stabilize the district. This will include advancing our legislative agenda, refining the focus of Central Office, and updating the school staffing allocation model to better align resources with student needs. The district will also pursue additional operational efficiencies, optimize revenue, and continue to consider adjustments to school and district operations.

Operating Budget Development Documents

Schools’ Budget Development Documents

2026-27 School Budget Development Instructions (“Gold Book”) Revised 2/24/26
2026-27 School Funding Allocations (“Purple Book”)Revised 4/12/26

Weighted Staffing Standards (“WSS”) Workgroup

Per district policy, the Weighted Staffing Standards “WSS” workgroup meets each year and makes recommendations to the Superintendent about potential changes for the following year’s direct school funding.